I love Christmas. It’s my favourite time of year. So, it seemed only fitting that my advent calendar should bring together a few more of my most fave things; wall charts, chalkboards, typography and bakers twine!

The countdown to Christmas day isn’t something I’ve given much thought to since childhood, though now with little kids of my own, it’s once again a time to celebrate. My vision is for this advent ritual to become a special family tradition which builds fond future memories (for myself, hubby and the kids).

This calendar was part-inspired by the old-fashioned borrowing system used at my primary school library (where there was a wall of modified envelopes filled with laminated borrowing cards) and features faux chalkboard date pockets which each hold a cute little shipping tag ready to be hung on the tree. The tags are adorned with a decorative snowflake and lyrics from ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’.

I really love the look of this calendar – it’s big, eye-catching, vintage-esque and gives just a subtle nod to the festive season – and am already kinda lamenting having to eventually take it down :( Though, thanks to its re-usable nature, I’m also looking forward to hanging it again next year!

This project is really easy, super affordable and completely rewarding (oh, and kinda awesome too :-). It’s also a project the kids can help with, and…there’s still plenty of time to have it complete before the start of December!

You will need…

1 Fabric. I used lined (backed) seeded calico (from Spotlight). Of course you could use almost anything. I chose the calico because it had a lovely organic look and a nice medium weight (due to the backing). Plus, at only $5 a meter (on sale) it was also super affordable.

2 Hemming tape. Obviously, this is to hem the fabric. You could choose to sew the hems, use fabric grade double sided tape or fabric glue.

3 Timber trim. I used 18mm (3/4″) half dowel.

4 Timber stain. I used water-based interior stain in Walnut.

5 Double sided tape.

6 Thumb tacks or upholstery pins.

7 Hanging string. I used twine.

8 Paper. I used good quality photo paper though you could simply use standard copier paper. Light cardstock would also be good.

9 Shipping tags. I used 108mm x 54mm (4 1/4″ x 2 1/8″) tags (from Officeworks). I wanted the simplicity of traditional buff though you can find them in lots of pretty colours. Red would be nice.

10 Bakers twine. I used traditional red and white (from eBay) though you can buy it in lots of colours.

11 Acetone. For transferring the chart title onto the fabric. There are quite a few different mediums you can use for fabric transfers (Citrasolv and Artist Gel Medium being two popular ones). I found the acetone worked really well for me.

You will also need these completely free printables (click to view and download)…

Free for personal use only.
Republication, reproduction or redistribution in any form is forbidden.

STEP 1 Cut and hem your fabric.

Cut your fabric into a rectangle measuring approximately 950mm x 650mm (1 yard x 25″) then hem all four sides. As mentioned in the supplies section, I used iron bond hemming tape to fuse my hems though you could sew them, or adhere them with fabric grade double sided tape or fabric glue.

STEP 2 Cut and stain your trim.

Cut your timber trim so it overhangs the fabric by around 15mm (1/2″) at each end. If necessary, lightly sand it then tint with timber stain.

STEP 3 Attach your trim and create the hanging string.

Run strips of double sided tape along the rear of your trim, lay the pieces in place on your fabric then press down firmly. Flip the fabric over and push in five thumb tacks along each length of trim to secure them in position. At one end, create the hanging string by winding some twine around two thumb tack stems prior to pushing them in completely. Depending on the density of your timber trim and/or the strength of your fingers, you may need to tap the tacks in with a hammer (or, in my case, the flat end of a logistically convenient meat mallet!).

3 Fold along the dotted lines. Take care to fold a smidgen inside/outside (as applicable) the lines so they aren’t visible on the finished pocket.

4 Use double sided tape to secure the top and bottom ends first (these ends are both doubled-over to hide any white paper and reinforce the pocket opening).

5 Punch (or cut) a semi-circle in the top of the pocket front. This isn’t essential, I just think it looks nice.

6 Fold up the back and use double sided tape to secure the rear flaps.

Once all 25 pockets are assembled, lay them out in position on your fabric then attach them using double sided tape. I just eyed this process though you could measure and mark.

NOTE: Double sided tape works fantastically for this project. It holds the pockets perfectly in place though can be easily peeled off the fabric if required. This is great if you need to reposition a pocket. It’s also handy if you want to remove the pockets for storage purposes – simply peel them off and stack them with a square of grease proof baking paper in between each layer. And, if in a few years time the pockets need updating, you can also easily and super cheaply create a whole new batch!

2 Place a tag over each tag outline and secure temporarily in place with low tack tape. If your tape is too sticky it could tear the tags when you remove it so if necessary dull the tack by pressing on a cloth.

3 Insert the sheet complete with tags into your printer as per usual and print page two (remember, page one is the template) of the ‘Shipping Tag Template and Graphics‘ printable onto the tags.

4 Repeat with the remaining four pages until you have printed onto all 25 tags. When printing the 25th tag you need only tape one tag over the top center outline of the template.

5 Carefully peel off the tape.

6 Thread each tag with a bakers twine loop then insert into the date pockets.

I chose to adorn my tags with decorative snowflakes and the lyrics from ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ for something whimsical and light-hearted.

STEP 6 Add the calendar chart title (printable supplied).

How to transfer onto fabric (visual guide above):

1 Print out the ‘Calendar Chart Title‘ using a laser printer or have it copied using a laser photocopier (inkjet will not work for this process) then cut out each line of text (it has been fragmented because it is larger than one standard letter sized sheet of paper) and reassemble it in position right side down on your chart. Secure temporarily in place with tape.

2 Working in small sections, brush on some acetone.

3 Whilst still damp use a hard smooth implement (such as a spoon) to burnish the text, transferring it from the paper to the fabric. Lift the corner of the paper from time to time to check the transference progress.

This transfer method creates faded, distressed, aged looking graphics, which is just what I wanted for this project. It also leaves no visible residue so post washing isn’t required.

STEP 7 Hang your chart and let the countdown begin!

On each day of December leading up to Christmas take a tag from the corresponding date pocket and hang it on your tree. I couldn’t resist sneaking in a few random sweets too and I’m also going to include a simple activity every third day (such as ‘write a letter to Santa’ or ‘choose a toy to donate’). Of course you could fill the pockets with whatever you like!

There are so many ways you can tweak this project to really make it your own. And whilst I know super fast crafty projects are all the rage right now, occasionally it’s nice to take a little more time to create something that’s just that bit special (not that this particular project is overly labor intensive).

Oh, and for all my lovely Facebook friends…this project is what I had planned for the shipping tags I posted about here.

I know it’s unusual for a ‘home’ blogger, though as I’ve confessed before, seasonal decorating isn’t a huge priority to me (I’m having enough trouble finding time for regular decorating!). This idea was just something I couldn’t ignore and I truly hope it helps inspire!

Oh man. I’ve just spent the last few weeks researching the best advent calendar to make. I finally thought I’d made my decision though then you come along with this! It is waaaaaay cooler than any of the ideas I had. Oh well, I guess the supplies I already bought can go into the craft box for something else! Totally making your one instead! Thanks so much for the inspiration and freebies.

Thanks so much Jenny. What a sweet compliment :)
It was a little time-consuming (creating the pockets – I needed my kids to be just a bit older so I could enlist them on cutting duties!) though it was actually really, really easy. I just hope my tutorial and free printables encourage someone else to make one.

This looks amazing. I love all your DIY posts. I always wanted to create a hanging fabric art work similar to this! i have the perfect place that needs a small cover up. Where did you find the half dowels? It seems impossible for me to find any search of dowels split into halves.

Thank you for your reply. I am based in the US, in NYC. I actually completed the project yesterday. I found a random dowel at home and It worked perfectly but it was not a half dowel which I think would have made attaching the fabric much easier. I would still love to know where i can find the half dowels for future projects. Thank you!

Absolutely gorgeous Kristine. I’ve not made an advent calendar this year but have weakened with a $11.99 panel from Spotlight. I’ve got to sew it together yet! Hopefully that will happen for December 1st! LOL

Yeh!! I’ve been trying to figure out how to print directly onto luggage tags as I use them to tag my items at the markets. You have solved my problem! I’d been printing onto stickers and placing them n the luggage tags which is okay but not exactly what I wanted. Thanks sooooo much. Love the advent calendar too. Like that it’s filled with Christmas quotes rather than lollies.

This is so pretty! I suggest you make an all-year one like it… You could stencil a beehive instead of the Christmas theme & make 29, 30, & 31 detachable so you can change for each month. then you could leave it up year around :-) It’s so lovely I’d hate to take it down!

I know Nikki! The wall is gonna look so sad when I eventually take it down :(
I actually did consider making something to leave up year round. I’ll have to have a think about the functionality aspect and see what I can come up with. The great thing about the pockets is they are already detachable (the double sided tape peels right off the fabric).
Thanks for the lovely comment :)

Oh this is a beautiful Advent Calendar…………so tempting to make this…..will have to do it in the next 2 weeks……ummmm can I fit it in? Thanks for all the printables……it’s stunning, rustic, handmade and french all at the same time…..fab. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

This is absolutely lovely! I’ve been searching for inspiration for an advent calendar and this is just perfect. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you don’t mind that I shared this on my blog (linked it to you of course).

I’ve bought my fabric from spotlight, funny thing was she said that for some reason a lot of people had been asking for this fabric this week and I said next one that wants some ask them is because of the advent calendar. Now off to Office works and Bunnings for other supplies. I am making this project before December 1st. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

Totally impressed by superb quality of this tutorial – everything about it from the envelope printables to construction of the calendar is really well explained and photographed. (Plus, the project itself is so stinkin cute!!!) Thanks for sharing!

Hi Penny
Thanks!
I made my graphics in Photoshop and used the command Flip Horizontal (under Edit/Transform). If you don’t have Photoshop and are using a different program, there should still be an option in the program itself or in your printer settings (might be called flip horizontal, mirror, or reverse). If you let me know which program you’re using I am happy to try and help :)
Kristine

Hi Kristine!
I’ve just discovered your site – I love your creations! I made your Advent Calendar this morning (my kids were very keen to get involved in the folding and sticking). I did a quick version (seeing as it needs to start tomorrow), I have stuck the envelopes onto a piece of red wrapping paper from Ikea, it was surprisingly effective… I’d still love to make a fabric version for next year. I just wanted to thank you for the printables, they are so well made, which made it so easy to cut out! I look forward to checking out your future creations.

Thanks so much for letting me know Nicola. Love the wrapping paper short-cut idea.
I wish my kids were just a little older – I would have loved some help on the cutting and sticking! It’s great that you made it as a family.
Kristine

Love this project! I’m with you on previously-uninterested-in-holiday-decor and games, but with a little one on the way myself, I am starting to realize that the holidays should be full of fun and magic! This looks totally easy AND design-worthy!

Hi there, I’ve been looking casually for the last couple years for a nice advent calendar and yours is the nicest I’ve seen. I’m busy and not crafty but would be happy to pay for one. Is this something you’d consider making to sell?

Hi Robyn
Thanks so much. What a lovely compliment :)
I’m really sorry though making one for on-sale is not something I’m interested in at the moment. Perhaps you could enlist the assistance of a crafty friend?
Sorry I can’t help.
Kristine

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